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  #1  
Old 10-10-2004, 12:21 PM
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Potential 300sd buy

New to the forum, new to mercedes, and new to diesels, but have been reading up here a little bit. Anyway, I looked at an 85 300sd with about 156K on it. Body was pretty good, just a little surface rust on the front fender. Interior was pretty good, no tears. All around it looked pretty nice.

The problems: There is either a front tranny seal leak or a rear main leak (Dealer said mechanic told him it was a tranny leak, but the oil I saw was black engine oil.) At least one of the injectors seemed to be diesel soaked, which doesn't seem right to me. The rear diff was gunked up with oil on the outside, but may be normal for a 20 year old car. And the sunroof wasn't seated all the way back up. It was still sagging down at the rear end of it.

I couldn't drive it, the battery was dead. Real bummer, and I know I must drive it before I make any decision, but that's depending on the amount of work and money this thing need based on what I hear here.

The dealer is selling for $1500. I'm a handy guy, I've changed transmissions before. Doesn't mean I really want to again. But is this a "good" deal, or do these things seem kinda serious? I know the oil leak would have to be fixed.

Thanks in advance

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  #2  
Old 10-10-2004, 01:58 PM
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The '85 is the most technical of the '81-85 series SD's. It has a different tranny than the previous years. Milage is not so important- as the odometers are notorious for not working properly in the long term, and the engines last a very long time. I've posted a similar question about a '85 with a link to pics. You really need pics for people to judge a car's value. $1500 sounds good for a car with few mechanical problems- especially if you can diy.
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  #3  
Old 10-10-2004, 02:44 PM
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Hmmm

Pictures would help a lot, engine left and right, driver seat and dash, exterior front, rear and sides.
Offer $500.00 if it will not run.
$1500.00 is not bad if it runs and has minor issues.
A rear main or front transmission seal is not in my opinion minor.
Pulling the powertrain is not a minor operation, and is a mess with oil leaks.
Check the air cleaner oil breather drain tube, if it is not seated and sealed top and bottom, huge amounts of oil blow down by the starter and can fool none MB people to think a seal is gone.
The sunroof is a PIA but can be fixed or replaced.
The injector sounds like a rubber fuel return hose cracked, no big deal.
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Last edited by whunter; 10-11-2004 at 10:03 AM.
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  #4  
Old 10-10-2004, 03:09 PM
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Welcome to MercedesShop

MB designed a backup system in case the electrical power sunroof fails. There is a nut accessible in the trunk, same size as the lug nuts. You can use the lug wrench to turn the nut and close the sunroof. However, you may want to leave it not fully closed until after you close the deal. If you show the owner how to close it, he may not be inclined to cut the price.
If you are new to Mercedes, and new to diesels, you might want to make this your homepage. There are some true experts here.
What has impressed me--I've owned a lot of different cars-- and I have always done all my own work---is the obvious thought that went into most operations by M-B. As you DIY on various projects you will see what I mean. The engineers have thought through almost everything.
Use the search function to find old threads before starting a new question--do not ask ANY oil-related questions. They have ALL been asked before--with more heat than light being the result.
Anyway, welcome to the group. since the Off Topic Thread has been closed, no one here will bite.
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  #5  
Old 10-10-2004, 04:27 PM
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I'm fairly new here myself but I guess I can say welcome.

Sounds like all your issues were properly answered so I've got nothing to add except - Make sure you run fuel conditioner for proper lubrication. Sulphur has been cut way back. I've been using Power Service but other guys are using Redline or Stanadyne {sp?] with good results. When I first got my car the fuel system needed a good cleaning and yours may as well.

cheers,

Bill
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  #6  
Old 10-11-2004, 08:42 AM
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I assume that this vehicle has the 5 cylinder diesel. If so, the ULSD is not such a problem as the injector pimp is libricated by engine oil.
If the poor lubrication of ULSD bothers you, add 2-5% of canola oil or biodiesel to the fuel for "better than leaded diesel" lubrication.
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  #7  
Old 10-11-2004, 10:40 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TonyFromWestOz
I assume that this vehicle has the 5 cylinder diesel. If so, the ULSD is not such a problem as the injector pimp is libricated by engine oil.
If the poor lubrication of ULSD bothers you, add 2-5% of canola oil or biodiesel to the fuel for "better than leaded diesel" lubrication.
From what I've searched/read here, true the pump is lubricated by the engine oil. The main concern is the rubber seals in the IP that come in contact with the fuel not getting enough lube and tearing causing the pump to leak.

Wish I could give you the links but I don't know where I read it.

I've always run conditioner in my diesel just to keep the system clean. Just so happens there is lube in it too. I realize there is more expense involved but I've run it in my diesels for years and never had any fuel related problems. Also less smoking. Recently I bought an '85 300td and right away started running Power Service in the fuel. Over a one month period my mileage went from 28mpg to 30mpg I think due to the system being cleaned out=better running car=more mpg.

I'm no expert, just reporting my experience!

Cheers,

Bill
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  #8  
Old 10-11-2004, 12:39 PM
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Thanks Everyone

I fugure since I'm new to Mercedes and Diesel in general, I'll skip this "beater" buy. I thought if it was cheap and I could fix it up, I couldn't pass the deal. I wasn't really even looking for a car. But now that I have been looking, I am hooked!

I went and looked at a beautiful 1983 300sd with 156K on it. It looked as if it were 5 years old, not 20! Everything worked, all windows, sunroof, AC, tranny, everything I could think of and read to look out for... She says the engine leaks a little oil, but here mechanic says "if it's diesel and doesn't leak oil, there's something wrong with it." I don't know about that. Sure the compression is high, but still... I'm not sure. There weren't puddles or anything though.

And the drive. Man, these cars really kick ass! So smooth and quite. Sure, it's slow as hell off the line, but when that turbo kicks in, sweet. She says she can cruise at 100mph in the sucker. Don't know if I like that she has been doing that, but I would be if I bought it. She aslo claims 38MPG which I'm leary of. I've seen online 22-30, but nothing really that high.

Anyway, a beatiful car for $4000. I gotta think about it since, like I said, I wasn't even looking for a car.

But man, it almost like getting a "new" car for 4 grand. When can you do that?
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Old 10-11-2004, 12:42 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bbeardb
I fugure since I'm new to Mercedes and Diesel in general, I'll skip this "beater" buy. I thought if it was cheap and I could fix it up, I couldn't pass the deal. I wasn't really even looking for a car. But now that I have been looking, I am hooked!

I went and looked at a beautiful 1983 300sd with 156K on it. It looked as if it were 5 years old, not 20! Everything worked, all windows, sunroof, AC, tranny, everything I could think of and read to look out for... She says the engine leaks a little oil, but here mechanic says "if it's diesel and doesn't leak oil, there's something wrong with it." I don't know about that. Sure the compression is high, but still... I'm not sure. There weren't puddles or anything though.

And the drive. Man, these cars really kick ass! So smooth and quite. Sure, it's slow as hell off the line, but when that turbo kicks in, sweet. She says she can cruise at 100mph in the sucker. Don't know if I like that she has been doing that, but I would be if I bought it. She aslo claims 38MPG which I'm leary of. I've seen online 22-30, but nothing really that high.

Anyway, a beatiful car for $4000. I gotta think about it since, like I said, I wasn't even looking for a car.

But man, it almost like getting a "new" car for 4 grand. When can you do that?
I'd question that milage too, I have a 300SD but a 116 chassis. I average 24 and never got more than a few MPG more than that ever.
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  #10  
Old 10-12-2004, 12:08 AM
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for 4K it SHOULD be really nice. Check for excessive blowby at idle. It gets 38mpg from the top of Pike's peak down, but not on any road you or I will be driving :p
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  #11  
Old 10-12-2004, 12:16 AM
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Good 81-85 SDs are getting hard to find. Where is the one you passed on located?
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  #12  
Old 10-12-2004, 06:22 PM
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Haven't passed on it yet

I'm still kicking around my options, and the idea whether or not to buy one. So I haven't passed on it yet. I looked at an 85 300d with 136K yesterday, and will look at a 83 300d with 160K, and a rebuilt tranny, this weekend. All are look rather amazing for their age, all around $4000. I've been looking around on the forums and it looks like $4000 is not a killer deal, unless the car is pretty "flawless".

I'm also trying to decide whether I like the 300d or sd better. I think the sd looks a little better, and I hear it's a bit more fuel efficient due to aerodynamics. But otherwise, I guess there's not much difference, except for power seats and size. And now I'm rambling to myself.
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Old 10-12-2004, 06:29 PM
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When I looked at a 300D I found it to be a little small for me. Have you looked at an SDL? Can I bring you over to the dark side of huge rear leg room and a sweet 6cy diesel? Come on their not much more then SD's.
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  #14  
Old 10-12-2004, 06:35 PM
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I don't plan on sitting in the back, so why would I care about leg room. My chump passengers can deal with that!

Besides, doesn't that have an aluminum head an cast iron block? I heard that can cause problems with the difference contraction/expansion rates of the two metals (I know there is a more scientific way to say that, one word... damnit, what is it?)

Also, I haven't seen any around for sale.

My grandpa has one, and he loves it. Except they can never get the AC to work, even after replacing everything!
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  #15  
Old 10-12-2004, 06:50 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bbeardb
My grandpa has one, and he loves it. Except they can never get the AC to work, even after replacing everything!
All old Mercedes have poor AC, although mine is ice cold. I never sit in the back either but their is just a lot of room everywhere inside.

Yes they have an aluminum head that will crack if it is every overheated. But just don't overheat it, or you can find one with a fixed head.

The 603 is a much better engine then the 617, it loves to rev has a lot of power and returns better mileage.

(duck and run)

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